Tories inadequate response to refugee crisis

Test Valley Borough Council's cabinet has recently agreed to provide a maximum of two homes, for couples and over 55s only for refugees fleeing the war in Syria. Writing in today's Andover Advertiser NW Hants Lib Dem chairman Len Gates has condemned this response to the refugee crisis as woefully inadequate.

The full text of his letter is as follows -

"I am pleased to see Test Valley Borough Council has decided to offer homes to some of the many Syrian refugees looking for help and support. The decision reflects the recent resolution by Andover Town Council calling on the borough to listen to public concerns and facilitate the reception, support and integration of refugees into Andover. Britain has a proud history of helping refugees, many of whom have gone on to make a positive contribution to this country. As one of the richest countries in the world we can, and should, continue to do so."

"What is disappointing is the limited support on offer. It's essential that local residents waiting for homes don't loose out in favour of refugees. But just two homes per year (maximum four people and no children) in a borough of over 120,000 people is a token gesture. This does no more than echo the mealy mouthed offers by David Cameron to accept less than 20,000 refugees over the next five years. The Conservative party's response to the biggest humanitarian crisis in a generation has been, and continues to be, woefully inadequate."